Iris lilies, how are things in your hood?

[gimmethesimplelife]

We dont have these problems in the Uk, the police now carry body cameras and are completely accountable for their actions. I am not saying it never happens but it is extrememly rare. If anything a far too soft approach is taken towards criminals, but I have faith that the police are quite fair and helpful in the UK.

I'm jealous. I really am. I am aware that there are problems in the UK but how nice it must be to live somewhere where you don't have to live in fear of the police. I'm hoping, really hoping, that this whole sordid mess - the good that comes out of it? Maybe police nationwide will start wearing cameras? Its sure great CYA for the police and at this point they need the CYA. There is a Democrat somewhere that is proposing that police officers be forced to wear cameras if they want to get some kind of federal funding and I hope this gains some traction and sticks. Rob

[CathyA]

Rob..........this is starting to feel like you have an OCD problem. Why do you have to keep going on and on and on and on?
There are times when I'm ashamed of this country, yes........but I also know that probably every country has its own problems and deficiencies, and for the most part, this is still a reasonable, safe country to live in. There are so many other places you could live here in the U.S. and not be so tormented. It's starting to feel like you'd rather stay put and continue to hate the police and feel like a victim. Why don't you take this energy you have and look for a more peaceful place to live?

[gimmethesimplelife]

Rob..........this is starting to feel like you have an OCD problem. Why do you have to keep going on and on and on and on?
There are times when I'm ashamed of this country, yes........but I also know that probably every country has its own problems and deficiencies, and for the most part, this is still a reasonable, safe country to live in. There are so many other places you could live here in the U.S. and not be so tormented. It's starting to feel like you'd rather stay put and continue to hate the police and feel like a victim. Why don't you take this energy you have and look for a more peaceful place to live?

At the moment I can't afford to make any changes, though I do agree you have a point. I'd really miss this neighborhood I live in, too, its so vibrant and alive compared to a "better" area to the North. Here no one cares if you are struggling, no one cares what you wear, no one cares or judges you if you don't have a car, and if you do, no one cares what you drive. Other than the police, this neighborhood does work for me. I also appreciate being so close to the border and also to the Hispanic food markets that are cheaper than the grocery stores to the North of me. It's not all bad. I don't have an OCD problem per se, it's just that this is an issue I am very passionate about. You might feel different yourself if you witnessed police brutality right in front of you? I can't say as I don't know you. To witness this makes it much less someone else's problem and a problem confined to "that area" or the bad part of town. And I don't feel 100% like a victim. Did I not speak of the joy I felt that my neighbor's lawsuit against the Phoenix police was successful? Did I not speak of my action plan should the police pull such with me? Did I not mention I carry a smartphone with me at all times to protect myself from the police? I'm taking steps to NOT be a victim - not just passively accepting such illegal injustice as I have witnessed. But for me it is very important to call this issue for what it is - otherwise I'm just as guilty as the police. As I've said, to say or do nothing is tacit approval for the police to treat the next person this way, and I won't live with that.

That said, I realize not every last cop is crooked. The problem is, some are, and because of that, the police can't be trusted. When the police start becoming more accountable for their actions and once they start facing real consequences for their illegal misconduct, then maybe I will feel a little more safe from them. Until then, it's best to call this for what it is and to avoid all contact if humanly possible. As I've said before, I'm far from the only person out there who feels this way. I don't mean to be sarcastic here, really I don't, but what I will say is Welcome to Another America - in the one I'm part of, people fear the police and know that on average they believe they are above the law and have a tendency - though not all do this, I know that - to act accordingly. Rob

[Yossarian]

I'm jealous. I really am.

Jealousy isn't healthy. Let me help you: http://police-brutality-uk.co.uk/cat...ice-brutality/

[gimmethesimplelife]

Jealousy isn't healthy. Let me help you: http://police-brutality-uk.co.uk/cat...ice-brutality/

Did you not see a HUGE difference in what you posted re the UK and police here? In some of these stories the police are being investigated and/or are facing charges or potential charges. Also there is publicity surrounding these cases - no expectation for things to be quietly buried. It seems on the surface much healthier and saner than US police behavior - at least there is publicity and a realistic chance for consequences. Here we don't enjoy much of that I'm afraid. I'm of the opinion that we as a nation not only can do better but deserve better. Rob

[Yossarian]

Did you not see a HUGE difference in what you posted re the UK and police here? In some of these stories the police are being investigated and/or are facing charges or potential charges. Also there is publicity surrounding these cases - no expectation for things to be quietly buried. It seems on the surface much healthier and saner than US police behavior - at least there is publicity and a realistic chance for consequences. Here we don't enjoy much of that I'm afraid. I'm of the opinion that we as a nation not only can do better but deserve better. Rob

Rob, you obviously are committed to seeing whatever you want to see. Unless you have lost your mind you surely know the whole Ferguson thing is being investigated. So what's you point? Our local news has lots of stories about investigations into incidents. Lot's of publicity. They face charges (Google is your friend).

Clearly you'd much rather fan your victimization fetish than look at facts.

How many protestors died at the hands of the potentially undertrained Ferguson police force (who were being shot at)?

How many people (with their hands in thier pocket walking away from police) died at the hands of the well trained London police force when they had the same situation?

http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/a...police-assault


Yes, there are problems that need to be addressed, but you are beyond naive if you think problems don't occur elsewhere too.

[iris lilies]

I'm watching the Danish/Swedish version of The Bridge and several versions of bad cops are figuring in the story line of the fictional production, including an incident of police brutality that covers several episodes. Copenhagen has its badnick cops as well.

As an aside, the Swedes carry guns when out on police detective work (as I learned according to this tv show. Call me shallow if you like, but I think a fair number of actual police customs are revealed in these shows.) I was happy to see this after watching Happy Valley, a crime drama about a police women solving crimes in West Yorkshire. The poor woman did not carry a gun, and apparently didn't even have access to a gun in the police station when guns were clearly called for. And yeah, she suffered because of that.

[gimmethesimplelife]

Rob, you obviously are committed to seeing whatever you want to see. Unless you have lost your mind you surely know the whole Ferguson thing is being investigated. So what's you point? Our local news has lots of stories about investigations into incidents. Lot's of publicity. They face charges (Google is your friend).

Clearly you'd much rather fan your victimization fetish than look at facts.

How many protestors died at the hands of the potentially undertrained Ferguson police force (who were being shot at)?

How many people (with their hands in thier pocket walking away from police) died at the hands of the well trained London police force when they had the same situation?

http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/a...police-assault


Yes, there are problems that need to be addressed, but you are beyond naive if you think problems don't occur elsewhere too.

I am not unaware that these problems occur elsewhere, of course they do. What bothers me here is that this country wants to have it's fingers in everyone else's pie and then doesn't want to fess up to it's own shortcomings unless forced into it. As for the investigation - I am aware that the whole Ferguson thing is being investigated. Do you honestly believe were it not for social media and the humiliation of international media coverage thanks to social media that this investigation could be trusted and would be moving along at a more reasonable clip? I sure don't. But then I have witnessed police brutality right in front of me before, and it seems that not many here are taking this seriously. Do you honestly expect me to ever trust the police again after witnessing such? Would it even be sane or reasonable for me to do so given what I have witnessed? And if I were to move to a "nicer" area - that would make me statistically safer from the police as there is an assumption you are more likely to be able to afford an attorney and gun for your rights and for big dollars - but I still would take this experience with me and I'd never trust. Major changes need to be made before I could ever trust the police again. We'll see the extent of the changes brought about by this whole Ferguson fiasco - who knows, maybe major changes will be taking place? I don't read the future, it's possible. I don't think there have been enough high dollar judgments against the police yet for major change to take place. We'll see what unfolds I guess. Rob

[Yossarian]

We dont have these problems in the Uk, the police now carry body cameras and are completely accountable for their actions. I am not saying it never happens but it is extrememly rare. If anything a far too soft approach is taken towards criminals, but I have faith that the police are quite fair and helpful in the UK.

So do most of us here.

In the UK:

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime...s-9065547.html

More than a quarter of Britons do not trust the police, a new poll has revealed.

But half of those surveyed said they still have faith in officers, according the ComRes survey for ITV.

In response to the statement "I trust the police", 26% said they disagreed, while 50% said they agreed.

The findings come in the wake of a series of public controversies involving the police in recent months, including claims officers lied over the 'Plebgate' affair, and anger over the shooting dead and subsequent inquest of suspected gangster Mark Duggan.

A jury found earlier this month that Duggan was lawfully killed when he was shot dead by armed officers in Tottenham, north London, in August 2011, sparking riots across England.

But his family claimed he had been "executed" by officers and have criticised the jury's verdict as "perverse" because they had also concluded he did not have a gun when he was shot.

[Yossarian]

But then I have witnessed police brutality right in front of me before, and it seems that not many here are taking this seriously. Do you honestly expect me to ever trust the police again after witnessing such? Would it even be sane or reasonable for me to do so given what I have witnessed?

Actually I think it is bordering on insane to not recognize that there there are lots of interactions and the one that you saw doesn't reflect all of them.

The weird dynamic here Rob is that I'm not a big fan of the cops myself. But you have just taken things so far to the exteme it's not leaving much room for reasonable discussion.